Treatment Options for
Urinary Retention

There are several treatment options for urinary retention, including sacral neuromodulation.* If other treatments haven’t worked for you, talk to your doctor about ways that sacral neuromodulation may be able to help.

Self-Catheterization

Your doctor may recommend intermittent self-catheterization, a procedure where you insert a catheter into the urinary tract long enough to empty the bladder and then remove it, at regular intervals,

Behavioral Techniques

Some people can reduce their symptoms of urinary retention with lifestyle changes, fluid and diet modification, bladder retraining, Kegel exercises or other kinds of physical therapy.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help control the symptoms of urinary retention. Some of these medications help the bladder muscle to squeeze better and may improve your ability to urinate.

Sacral Neuromodulation

Sacral neuromodulation (InterStim Therapy) uses mild electrical pulses to modulate the nerves that control the bladder and the nerves that control the muscles related to urination. It helps the brain and the nerves to communicate so the bladder can function properly. Sacral neuromodulation is a reversible treatment that can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device.

*Sacral neuromodulation is not indicated for obstructive urinary retention. Not all forms of non-obstructive urinary retention can be treated with sacral neuromodulation.

Are You Seeing the Right Doctor?

On everyday-freedom.com, you can learn about the specialists who can help you find the right treatment option for urinary retention, and find other helpful resources.